Applicator



Jan. 2, 1962 G. BRECHT 3,015,332

APPLICATOR Filed Feb. 25. 1957 INVENTOR u izPEt/VT.

TTO RN EY United States Patent 9 3,015,332 APPLICATOR George Brecht, NewBrunswick, N.J., assignor to Persoual Products Corporation, acorporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 642,125 4Claims. (Cl. 128-263) This invention relates to applicators and moreparticularly to applicators for introducing catamenial tampons into thevaginal cavity.

Commercial catamenial tampons are generally elongated and cylindrical inshape and are made by compressing absorbent material, usually fibrous,into the desired form. Such tampons are relatively rigid and have formstability and may, therefore, be introduced into the vaginal cavity bydigital means. However, it is more common to position them in thevaginal cavity with devices called applicators. These are devicesusually packaged assembled with tampons to provide a complete unit readyfor use.

The tampon applicators in general use consist of an inner and outer tubearranged in a telescopic fashion with the inner tube longitudinallymovable in the outer tube. A tampon is positioned in one end of theouter tube and is expelled therefrom by moving the inner tube in theouter tube in the direction of the tampon. In view of the nature oftheir use, most tampon applicators have been made of paper, cardboard,or similar materials so that they could be discarded after a single use.

Although they have been widely used and are still accepted, such tamponapplicators have a number of disadvantages. For example, they can beeasily dented and deformed with the result that the tampon becomes boundin the applicator and difficult to expel. Also, the front edges of theouter tube which contact the body first as the applicator is introducedinto the vaginal cavity are often sharp or rough as a result of theforming and cutting operations involved in manufacturing applicators,and may irritate or chafe the body. A particularly significantdisadvantage of the applicators becomes apparent when they are beinginserted into the vagina. Normally, the outer surface of the outer tubeof the applicator and the exterior parts of the vagina which theapplicator contacts initially upon insertion are dry and unlubricated.Hence, as the applicator is being introduced, it binds upon the exteriorparts of the vagina. This not only makes entry difiicult, but alsocauses pain and discomfort.

The problem of binding may be overcome by properly lubricating theapplicator with petroleum jelly or some similar material. However, thisis inconvenient and not always possible under conditions of use. It alsopresents manufacturing problems. As a substitute for such lubrication,it has been the practice to coat the outer surface of the outer tubewith a wax or similar material. While some improvement has been noted byproviding such a coating, the results have not been satisfactory.Binding of the applicators still occurs to an appreciable extent.

It is an object of this invention to provide an applicator which willfacilitate introduction of catamenial tampons into the vaginal cavity.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tampon applicatorwhich can be inserted into the vaginal cavity with a minimum ofdiscomfort to the user.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tampon applicatorwhich resists denting and distortion and which permits ready and easyexpulsion of a tampon 7 contained therein.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a tamponapplicator which may be economically manufactured and which may beformed with smooth surfaces and rounded edges.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the attached drawing and the following specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an applicator, partly but away,incorporating the invention and containing a tampon; and

FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1, taken along lines 22.

In accordance with the invention, a tampon applicator attaining theforegoing objects and overcoming the disadvantages present inapplicators heretofore available may be obtained by providing anapplicator having an outer tube made from a relatively rigid materialwhich does not absorb moisture and which may be formed or machined witha high finish and smooth rounded edges.

As noted above, a conventional tampon applicator made from paper,cardboard or similar material binds on the surfaces of the vagina as itis being introduced into the vaginal cavity. Initial insertion of theapplicator is resisted because of the lack of lubrication between theseparts and the applicator. it has been determined that binding occursbecause the outer surfaces of the applicators are dry and also becausethe applicators are made from materials which absorb moisture almostimmediately upon contact. Even in those instances where there is somemoisture present, the applicator binds because it quickly absorbs themoisture.

I have found that tampon applicators having an outer tube which presentsa smooth outer surface of hydrophobic material having the properties ofand especially the surface characteristics of polyethylene may be easilyand readily inserted into the vaginal cavity without binding even whenthe surface of the exterior parts of the vagina and the applicator aredry. Polyethylene and plastics having the characteristics ofpolyethylene have excellent molding and machining characteristics andmay be made with very smooth, waxy-like, slippery surfaces which, incombination with the other properties, such as machineability andmoldability, may be utilized to pro vide a tampon applicator inaccordance with the objects of the invention. With applicators of thistype, tampons may be inserted into the vagina more readily, more easilyand more comfortably than has been possible with applicators heretoforeavailable. In addition, tampon applicators made from polyethylene-likematerials are stable and resist dent-ing and deformation. Because of themachining and molding characteristics of these materials, theapplicators may be formed with certain constructional features whichfacilitate their use, as will become apparent below.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a tampon applicator embodyingthe invention comprising an elongated outer tube 17 with a roundedleading edge 19 and an elongated inner tube 16 of smaller diameterarranged inside the outer tube in a telescopic fashion. The inner tubeis longitudinally movable in the outer tube and is maintained in itstelescopic relationship with the outer tube by a frictional fit betweenthe two tubes. the outer tube, which is the part of the applicator whichfirst contacts the body when the applicator is introduced into thevaginal cavity, is rounded, thus eliminating sharp edges and cornerswhich cause pain and discomfort.

The outer tube is made from a relatively rigid hydrophobic plasticpolyethylene-like material which does not absorb moisture and which canbe manufactured with a smooth, high finish. The outer tube may be madeenmade from a laminate of a polyethylene-like material and anothermaterial, such as cardboard or paper, arranged so that the polyethyleneforms the outer surface of the tube. The inner tube may be made from thesame mate- The edge 19 of rial or any other suitable material, such as apaper or cardboard.

A particularly suitable material for making the outer tube is a highlycrystalline, high density polyethylene plastic ofiered by PhillipsChemical Company under the name Marlex 50. This polyethylene has a highrigidity and an outer tube of an applicator made from this type ofpolyethylene may be made with thin walls. It has a low coefficient offriction, thus making insertion of the applicator and expulsion of thetampon contained therein easier. polyethylene, approximately 3 incheslong, /2 inch in diameter and a wall thickness of from A to of an inch.An applicator having an outer tube of polyethylene with this wallthickness has good form stability and will resist denting and crushing.The polyethylene is sufiiciently resilient to permit a reasonable amountof distortion to be imposed upon the tube so that it will returntosubstazr tially its original shape after being distorted. Theformation of kinks and bends in the tube which would cause a tampon tobind are substantially eliminated.

An longated cylindrical tampon 29 formed by highly compressing absorbentfibrous material, such as absorbent cotton, is positioned in the end ofthe outer tube opposite the end in which the inner tube is located withthe end of the tampon substantially adjacent the rounded edge 19. Thetampon has a Withdrawal string attached to aid in removing the tamponafter use. The withdrawal string extends through the bore of inner tube16 and beyond the end thereof.

The applicator with the tampon contained therein is used in the usualmanner by introducing outer tube 17 into the vaginal cavity, tamponcontaining end first, for substantially three-quarters of its length andthen movinginner tube 16 longitudinally in the outer tube in thedirection of the tampon until the tampon has been expelled from theouter tube and positioned in the vaginal cavity. The applicator is thenwithdrawn.

The inner tube 16 and the outer tube 17 are both made from polyethyleneor similar material. However, the inner tube may be made from adissimilar material such as paper or cardboard. The form illustratedlends itself readily to molding operations and'has'additional desirableconstructional features which aid in its use.

In this form, the outer tube is made entirely from polyethylene or apolyethylene-like plastic and has a plurality A suitable applicator hasan outer tube of of protuberances such as longitudinally alignedelongated ribs 18 on its inner surface opposite end 19 adjacent whichthe tampon 'is placed. The'ribs extend radially inwardly towards thelongitudinal axis of the outer tube a short distance from the innersurface of the outer tube to form bearing surfaces 21 upon which theinner'tube rests when it is telescopically associated with the outertube. The bearing surfaces 21 of the ribs define an opening in theinterior of the outer tube of a diameter substantially the 7 same as theouter diameter of the inner tube so that the innertube will fit snugly.In the example, three ribs equally disposed around the inner peripheryof the outer provided by a series of raised protuberances of otherforms. The ribs'extend longitudinally; from adjacent the end of theouter tubeopposite the tampon toward the end containing the'tampon asuficient distance to'provide adequate bearing surfaces for the innertube so that it will be pebble grain finish, bycross-hatching thesurface, or by knurling the surface after the tube is formed.

In its preferred form, the outer tube of the applicator is made from ahydrophobic synthetic polyethylene-like plastic material and the innertube from cardboad, paper or similar material. However, the inner tubemay also be made from the same material from which the outer tube ismade; e.g., polyethylene, or from other suitable materials which havebeen used heretofore in applicators of this type.

It is apparent that modifications, changes, alterations andsubstitutions may be made in the foregoing illustrative embodiments ofthe invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

What is claimed is: a

1. An applicator for introducing catamenial tampons into the vaginalcavity comprising an elongated outer tube presenting an 'outer surfaceof hydrophobic plastic material having the surface characteristics ofpolyethylene, an elongated inner tube telescopically positioned in saidouter tube and longitudinally movable therein, said outer tube having onits inner surface at one end section a plurality of inwardly extendingprotuberances reinforcing said end section, the ends of saidprotuberances presenting continuous surfaces extending an appreciabledistance in the direction of the length of said outer tube a distance atleast about as great as the diameter of the inner tube and defining anopening within which said inner tube is slideably positioned, saidsurfaces supporting said inner tube along its length maintaining saidinner tube in fixed spaced relationship with respect to said outer tubefor guiding-said tube axially with respect to said outer tube as saidinner tube isslideably moved therein. 7

'2. An applicator for introducing catmenial tampons into the vaginalcavity comprising an elongated outer tube of hydrophobic plasticmaterial having the surface characteristics of polyethylene, anelongated inner tube telescopically positioned in said outer .tube andlongitudinally movable therein, said outer tube having on its innersurface atone end section a plurality of elongated ribs extendingradially inwardly reinforcing said end section, the ends of said ribspresenting continuous surfaces extending an appreciable distance in thedirection of the length of said outer tube a distance at least about asgreat as the diameter of the inner tube and defining an opening withinwhich said inner tube is slideably positioned, said surfaces supportingsaid inner tube alongits'length main- 'taining said inner tube infixedspaced relationship'with held firmly and will not rock or tiltappreciably; For

, example, in an applicator having an outeritube three "inches long, theribsm'ay be one inch long) The, outer surface of the outer tube 17adjacent the V end oppositeend -19imay be formed with a rough surface'22 to' provide finger gripping portions which enable the respect tosaid outer tube for guiding said tube axially with respect to said outertube as said inner tube is slideably moved therein.

3. An applicator for introducing catamenial tampons into the vaginalcavity comprising an elongated outer tube of polyethylene, an elongatedinner tube telescopiwhich said inner tube rests, said surfacm extendingan ap preciable distance in'the direction of the length of said outertube a distance at least about as great as the diameter of the innertubeand defining an opening within which said inner tube is slideablypositioned, said surfaces'supp'orting said inner tubealo'ng its lengthmaintaining 'said inner tube in fixed spaced relationship with respectto said outer tube for guiding said tube axially with respect to saidouter tube as said inner tubeisslideuser to hold the applicator moresecurely, These rough- "-enedisurfaces may be formed in the manufactureof the outer tube by molding the surface of the tube with a ably movedtherein in a snug'fit. 1

4. An applicatorjfor introducing catamenial tampons into. the vaginalcavity comprising an elongated'outer tube of hydrophobic plasticmaterial havingthe surface characteristics 'of polyethylene an elongatedinner tube telescopicaily'positioned in said outer tube fand longitu-Ill-u.

dinally movable therein, said outer tube having on its inner surface atone end section a plurality of elongated ribs extending radiallyinwardly reinforcing said end section, the ends of said ribs presentingcontinuous surfaces extending an appreciable distance in the directionor" the length of said outer tube a distance at least about as great asthe diameter of the inner tube and defining an opening within which saidinner tube is slideably positioned, said surfaces supporting said innertube along its length maintaining said inner tube in fixed spacedrelationship with respect to said outer tube for guiding said tubeaxially with respect to said outer tube as said inner tube is slideablymoved therein, the outer surface of said outer tube adjacent an endthereof being roughened to provide finger gripping portions, theopposite end of said outer tube having rounded edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1

